March 1 Stayin' in the Loop

Stories and photos from Stayin' In the Loop in the March 1 issue of the High Plains Journal are available now at www.stayinintheloop.com.


TAHC provides update on equine piroplasmosis disease investigation
The Texas Animal Health Commission continues to investigate the spread of equine piroplasmosis from a South Texas ranch, which was first detected in October 2009. Equine piroplasmosis is a tick-borne protozoal infection of horses. At least one species of tick, Amblyomma cajennense has proven capable of transmitting the blood parasite. This species of tick is endemic to Texas and several other southern states. Further research is under way to determine if there are other tick species capable of transmitting the parasite. The disease may also be spread between horses by unsafe animal husbandry practices such as sharing needles or equipment that is contaminated with blood.
Read the rest of the story here.

Equine Well-Being Symposium planned March 10 to 12 in Manhattan
Kansas State University will host the International Equine Well-Being Symposium March 10 to 12 in Manhattan at the K-State Student Union's Forum Hall.

"This is a symposium for anyone who has horses or is involved in any aspect of the equine industry—or is just a horse enthusiast," said Chris Blevins, assistant professor in K-State's College of Veterinary Medicine. "Our objective is to bring the latest information on basic equine welfare to horse owners and enthusiasts and stable owners and managers, and to certify and document equine welfare for individuals and farms."

Read the rest of the story here.

Photos from EquiFest 2010, held in Wichita, Kan., Feb. 12 to 14.

New Pat Hooks Column in Feb. 15 edition of High Plains Journal

In the Feb. 15 issue of the High Plains Journal, the Stayin' In The Loop page features Pat Hooks' suggestions to keeping a young horse's feet moving and finding his forward gears.

Read Hooks' column here. Pat Hooks normally appears once a month on the Stayin' In The Loop pages.

EquiFest of Kansas

Equifest of Kansas was held in Wichita, Kan., Feb. 12 to 14. Read all about it in the pre-show promotion here.

Daily presentations by world-class clinicians and trainers featured Ken McNabb from Wyoming, presenting Discovering the Horseman Within; Kay Meredith from North Carolina, schooling riders in Dressage; Al Dunning from Arizona, teaching Reining and Cutting; Linda Allen from Texas, conducting Hunt Seat and Jumping clinics; Scot Hansen from North Carolina, with Trail Riding and Horse Training tips; and TV and Radio host and author Rick Lamb, a Wichita native now from Arizona, provided a series of horsemanship lectures.

For the first time, EquiFest of Kansas presented two exciting new events: the Ultimate Horsemens Challenge, presented by Boulevard Beer, Feb. 12, and a Ranch Rodeo presented by Hunn Leather Products, held during the evening Feb. 13 at EquiFest.

February 1 Stayin' in the Loop pages

The new stories have been posted on the Stayin' in the Loop Site, www.stayinintheloop.com for Feb. 1.

For this issue we featured Texas A&M's blacksmith on staff at the School of Veterinary Medicine, Equifest of Kansas to be held Feb. 12 to 14 in Wichita, Kan., and a program the New Mexico Livestock Board and the New Mexico Racing Commission are implementing.

Check it all out here.